Sometimes there is no direct pair. For example, there is no interpreter from English into Chinese, but there are two people: one interprets from English into Russian, the other from Russian into Chinese. This is relay interpretation.
How to tell you are working in relay mode
The “Listening to” field shows two options: “Floor” and the code of the relay language (for example, “RU” for Russian). The button with the language code means you are interpreting not from the speaker’s original but from your colleague’s interpretation. This is normal and expected.
What to do
- Make sure the button with the relay language code (for example, “RU”) is selected in the “Listening to” field: that is when you hear your colleague’s voice
- Listen to your colleague’s interpretation and interpret it
- If you need to check the original, switch to “Floor”: you will hear the speaker directly. Interpreting from Floor in this mode is harder: speed and pace may differ from your colleague’s interpretation
- Switch between “Floor” and the relay language with the Shift key
If your colleague is not on air
Until the relay interpreter starts broadcasting, you hear silence in relay language mode. Switch to “Floor” and listen to the original until your colleague comes on.
Troubleshooting
The language code button in “Listening to” is grayed out. Your channel is set up as direct, not relay. Contact the event administrator: the assignment may have been set up incorrectly.
I hear silence when the relay language is selected. The relay interpreter is not on air yet or has technical problems. Switch to “Floor” and let your colleague know via the intercom.
I hear myself (echo). Make sure the right headphones are selected in the settings: without headphones, the microphone picks up your own sound.